MLB Rumors

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was backed by his manager Dusty Baker before Monday's game against the Mets after he'd blown a save in two straight appearances. He converted one on this night. 

Chapman earned his ninth save with two strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning. He needed just 11 pitches and his ERA is now at 3.15. 

Reds starter Johnny Cueto returned from the disabled list Monday in New York. He wasn't at his sharpest, but he earned the victory anyway.

Cueto gave up a three-run homer to Marlon Byrd in the third inning, but that was all he would allow. He gave up the three runs on three hits and four walks over five frames and 90 pitches to move to 2-0 on the year.

The starter struck out eight batters and his ERA is at 3.22. Cueto was making his first start since suffering an oblique injury at Pittsburgh on April 13. His next scheduled start comes Sunday against the Cubs.

It was another start and another defeat for Mets pitcher Shaun Marcum Monday at home against the Reds. Marcum did just enough to fall to 0-5 on the year. 

Marcum gave up four earned runs -- three in the first -- and the Mets lost 4-3. He was victimized twice by Jay Bruce, who hit a run-scoring double in the first and a home run in the sixth inning. In all, Marcum allowed four runs on six hits and a walk over six frames. He struck out seven and his ERA is now at 6.59. 

The 31-year-old has at least gone six or more innings in his last two outings. He's shown improvement and will search for that elusive first win Sunday against Atlanta. 

Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez (knee) returned to action Monday against the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw. Ramirez went 0 for 4 with a strikeout, as the Brewers managed just three hits. 

Ramirez's average is down to .328 on the year. He'd gone 5 for 9 in his previous two games with two homers and six RBI. 

Brewers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo fell one game under .500 at 3-4 Monday with a loss against the Dodgers. With Clayton Kershaw pitching a complete game, it would have been tough for Gallardo to earn the win. 

The Milwaukee starter gave up three runs on eight hits and a walk over six decent innings in defeat, his ERA at 4.50. He struck out seven batters over his 105 pitches but allowed solo homers to Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp. 

Gallardo has been fairly consistent of late for Milwaukee but that hasn't translated into a win since he moved to 3-1 on April 29 against Pittsburgh. Gallardo will look to get back on track when he next takes the hill Sunday against the Pirates. 

Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw looked every bit like an ace on Monday in Milwaukee. 

Kershaw pitched a complete-game victory to improve to 5-2 on the year. 

Kershaw gave up just an RBI ground out in the third inning for the only run he allowed. He gave up three hits and a walk over his nine innings, throwing 107 pitches. Kershaw struck out five batters and lowered his ERA to 1.35. 

Kershaw, 25, has picked up consecutive wins with one run allowed over 17 2/3 innings with 16 Ks over that span. He hasn't lost since falling to 2-2 on April 17 against San Diego. Kershaw makes his next start Sunday against the Cardinals. 

Padres outfielder Cameron Maybin (wrist) is expected to get around 30 rehab at-bats, MLB.com reports Monday. 

Maybin will hit in the cage and on the field over the next few days and will go on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues if all goes well. His assignment should begin Friday. Maybin could return for the Padres by the end of the month. 

Padres outfielder James Darnell could need another surgery on his injured left shoulder, MLB.com reports Monday. Darnell injured the shoulder with Triple-A Tucson May 14. 

Darnell was in San Diego last week to confer with team doctors. He already has had two operations on the shoulder in 2011 and 2012. Darnell is likely to be sidelined for a long time. 

Cardinals pitcher Jake Westbrook (elbow) plans on throwing off a mound Tuesday, MLB.com reports. The news comes after Westbrook made 25 throws off flat ground from 60 feet Sunday.

Westbrook will likely need a rehab outing or two before the Cardinals consider adding him to the rotation. He'll likely be back in early June.

Dodgers reliever Scott Elbert recorded two strikeouts in a perfect frame during his rehab assignment with Double-A Chattanooga Monday.  

Elbert needs a little more minor league seasoning before being activated from the disabled list after two elbow operations, according to manager Don Mattingly, MLB.com reports.

"His velocity still isn't where we want it to be," Mattingly said. "But he's going in the right direction."